Hidden Gems: Meet Polly Camery of Bluebird Bus Of Hope

Today we’d like to introduce you to Polly Camery. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have over 15 years of experience working with non-profits and ministries. After serving a year at my dream non-profit job, I still didn’t feel like I was doing enough. I wanted to get out into the rural areas that were difficult to reach. I mentioned to my husband in December 2021 that getting a school bus and taking it out on the weekend to rural areas in order to connect free resources to the community would bring a great fulfillment and joy for me. I thought we could make a 2-year plan and execute it slowly. He surprised me by bringing the bus home 2 days later. 

I still had little idea of what I wanted to do, but at the same time, a national organization was searching for new non-profit ideas that promoted life. I submitted my idea on paperwork and was invited to Colorado Springs, CO for their 3-day summit to help perfect my business plan. On the last day, I pitched the idea to a panel and was selected to win a $10,000 grant. While I worked on the business plan side of things, my husband worked extremely hard and fast to make my vision a reality on the bus. 

I have been extremely grateful to be surrounded by amazingly talented people who have joined me on this journey. I have had wonderful people who embarked on this journey with me from the beginning and even more people who I have met along the way. It is the people around me supporting me and this mission that has gotten Bluebird to where it is today. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
This question makes me laugh… Our journey has not been a road; it has been a rollercoaster! As with any non-profit and start-up, funding is always a struggle. We are always struggling to make sure we have the funds to fuel our programs. 

It has also been a struggle navigating this new territory and idea that has never been thought of. Although it has been a struggle, it also has been exciting and exhilarating! 

Every challenge we face together as a team, we also get to celebrate wins as a team! We are not driven by fear, we are driven by wins! 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us a bit more about your business.
During Covid many businesses and organizations discovered that going mobile was the best way to reach their clients, so they added a mobile option if some sort. The Bluebird is similar in that aspect but different since being mobile is how we started. 

The Bluebird Bus Of Hope converts school buses into spaces that bring hope to our community. Our mission is to bridge the gap between the community and resources available to the community in the most accessible way while revolutionizing the community’s value on life. 

Our first school bus that we are well known for has been converted to a free cafe. It is a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where people can schedule appointments with trained mentors. Mentors offer free cafe drinks and help guests create a vision and goals to live a hopeful life. They help guest get connected directly to free resources to help them obtain those goals. Guests will return monthly to the bus until they feel they are living a hopeful life. This bus is parked in Williamsburg, New Richmond, and Goshen for a week every month. 

Our second bus has been converted into a classroom that is a space for our community partners to come aboard and teach life skill classes. 

Our third bus is a 16-passenger handicap-accessible bus that we use to partner with our community partners and offer transportation to our community in efforts of getting them to resources such as food pantries that may difficult for them to get to. 

Our goal is to do whatever we can do to reach out to our rural community. We know that our organization will not being serving large numbers of people like inner city organizations serve. We take pride in focusing on one life a time, lives in the rural areas that seem to be forgotten. 

Another thing we take pride in is our efforts to collaborate with amazing non-profits and resources in our community. We share the belief that we serve our community better when we collaborate with each other. We only refer our guests to organizations that we know they will be served promptly, effectively, and with care. This encourages the non-profits/ community partners we work with to strive to do their best, which in return is best for our community. 

Collaboration not only benefits Bluebird and our guests but our community partners as well. Together with our community partners, we have provided a shower for the homeless, served over 100 Thanksgiving meals, and now providing transportation to our community partner services! 

Alright, so before we go, can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If someone works for or leads a resource that benefits the community, we would love to partner with them. All we ask in return is someone from their organization gives a name and contact information ensuring that Bluebird guests will be top priority when receiving their serves. 

If someone would like to support us, we encourage everyone to subscribe on our newsletter and follow us on our social media outlets. We have a Facebook page, Instagram, and TikTok. 

We are always looking for monthly supporters, one-time donations, corporate sponsors, and gifts in kind for our fundraisers. 

If someone is interested in volunteering, we have many opportunities for volunteers. We need volunteers who can mentor, fill support roles, attend special events, join our facility team (maintenance and care for busses), and so much more! Anyone who is interested should email volunteer@bluebirdhope.org. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.BluebirdHope.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebirdbusofhope
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluebirdbusofhope/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyR0smQD_C-7OO-Uj9wCoMg
• Other: https://linktr.ee/bluebirdhope

Image Credits
Elaine Case Photography